Veterans Golf Club of Victoria

Minutes - 66th Annual General Meeting

Held on Monday, 9^th February 2015 at Rossdale Golf Club

1. OPENING

President Bernie Coyle opened the meeting and warmly welcomed all members present.

We are now into the 66^th year of the clubs existence and we will continue to grow and modernise.

2. APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from: Lindsay Quennell, Malcolm Turner, George Weaver, Reg Davey, John Hiscock, Gerry O'Connor, Kel Tyler, Lance Bolam, Roger Selwood, Chris Proctor, Peter Charlewood, Wayne Lamb, Don Barrett and Robin Miller.

3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

Matters arising from the Minutes of the 65th AGM

Handicapping:

We are now using official system. Plus stand-alone system for the few without official handicaps.

9-hole comp on hot days

This was eclined by the Committee. When it too hot an email or phone call will be done suggesting members seriously consider playing at all, or using a cart plus drinking plenty of water. Committee will continue to develop a heat policy.

Eagle Ridge day

The Committee decided not to change Eagle Ridge from Ambrose to Stableford as only a small group play and it is not counted as a competition.

Prepaying for Christmas Lunch

We will stick with pay on the day as that worked well last year.

Moved that the minutes be accepted: Bernie Coyle. Seconded: Harold Hayes. Motion: Carried

4. SECRETARY

There was no correspondence of note.

5. ANNUAL REPORTS

PRESIDENT

Report circulated. No comments.

Moved that the President's report be accepted: Laurie Comerford. Seconded: Donald McDonald. Motion: Carried

CAPTAIN

Report circulated. No comments

Moved that the Captain's report be accepted: Donald MacDonald Seconded: Ray Underwood Motion: Carried

TREASURER

Report circulated. No comment

Subs ($30) are now due and to be paid by 16^th April.

Moved that the Treasurers' report be accepted: David Vine Seconded: Mike Bainbridge Motion: Carried

6. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS

President Bernie thanked the current committee for their great support and diligent work over the past year.

In accordance with Section 10 of the Club Constitution, all 2014 Office Bearers resigned.

Retiring Secretary Stan Odachowski was asked to conduct the election of Office Bearers for 2015.

1. President

Bernie Coyle. Nominated: Donald MacDonald, Seconded: Laurie Comerford.

There being no other nominations, Bernie was declared elected.

2. Vice President:

Gary Finnis. Nominated by Daryl Edwards, Seconded by Ray Desmond.

There being no other nominations, Gary was declared elected.

3. Captain:

Donald MacDonald. Nominated: Laurie Comerford, Seconded: Jeff Taylor

There being no other nominations, Donald was declared elected.

4. Vice Captain:

Michael Bainbridge. Nominated: Gary Finnis, Seconded: Daryl Edwards

There being no other nominations, Michael was declared elected.

5. Treasurer:

David Vine. Nominated: Ray Desmond, Seconded: Jeff Taylor

There being no other nominations, David was declared elected.

6.Handicapper:

Ray Desmond. Nominated: Laurie Comerford, Seconded: Jeff Taylor

There being no other nominations, Ray was declared elected.

7.Marketing:

Daryl Edwards. Nominated: Ray Desmond, Seconded: Laurie Comerford.

There being no other nominations, Daryl was declared elected.

8. Webmaster (New Position):

Laurie Comerford. Nominated: Ray Desmond, Seconded: Jeff Taylor

There being no other nominations, Laurie was declared elected.

9. Secretary:

Jeff Taylor. Nominated: Laurie Comerford, Seconded: Ray Desmond.

There being no other nominations, Jeff was declared elected.

President Bernie congratulated the new committee

7. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION & MATCH FEE

Annual Subscription Fee of $30.00 remains the same for 2015.

Match Fees of $40 remains the same for 2015. Host club members continue to pay $10 (food).

Moved: David Vine Seconded: Colin Wiseman Motion: Carried

9. GENERAL BUSINESS

9.1 Retiring secretary

Bernie thanked retiring Secretary Stan for his great work and generous commitment to this very important job. Wishing him all the best on behalf of all members for good health during 2015 and beyond. Applause of appreciation was given.

9.2 Web advertsing

Laurie circulated new business cards promoting the club and its website. To be used to promote the club to encourage new members but also for members to use the link to our informative website.

9.3 Club Constitution

Retiring Secretary suggested amendments to the Club's Constitution as follows:

• Clause 7: be amended - adding new Webmaster position;
• Clause 9: be amended - adding Webmaster & Marketing positions to Committee;
• Clause 11 to include current Clauses, 13, 15 & 16.
• Clauses 17 - 34 renumbered into 12 - 29.
• Clauses 28 & 30 be removed

The amended Constitution to be submitted to the Committee of Management for acceptance.

On acceptance the amended Constitution will be effective from the AGM 9^th February 2015.

To be located on the website for member access. Members to be informed when on website.

Moved: Stan Odachowski Seconded: Laurie Comerford Motion: Carried

MEETING CLOSED: 1.45p.m

PRESIDENTS REPORT

The following report was sent to members prior to the meeting.

Happy New Year to you all.

2014 has been a remarkable year with a number of major achievements, namely:-

• Membership numbers have steadily grown;
• Attendance at games has been very high;
• An updated and modernised handicapping system has been introduced; and,
• We have launched our first club web site.

All these are significant developments, which have taken our club to a new level in this age of technology.

In achieving these milestones, I believe we have fully met our prime objective of providing great golfing opportunities. In addition, we also have had a most enjoyable Christmas lunch at Rossdale, where we shared some great fellowship for all our members and their wives or partners as applicable.

I would like to thank the committee for showing outstanding dedication and drive towards providing great golf for our members. In particular our Captain, Donald, our Handicapper, Ray and especially our retiring Secretary, Stan have all undertaken a very heavy workload and I thank them for doing so. I cannot name the whole committee, but the rest of the group have also worked very, very hard and I thank them for that.

Our Webmaster, Laurie - a new title for many of us - has worked tirelessly to provide you with an interesting and entertaining web site, that will continue to grow and eventually be the vehicle for your monthly Newsletter. Well done Laurie.

To all who experienced health problems in 2014, I hope that 2015 will be a better year for you and your families.

Again my thanks to the committee for their support - you are a great bunch of guys and a lot of fun to work with.

Finally thanks to all you members for playing in 2014 and I wish you great success in 2015.

Bernie Coyle

President

Return

The following report was sent to members prior to the meeting.

Our 2014 schedule of competitions was identical to that of 2013, with the 12 monthly events augmented by the Winter Challenge at Eagle Ridge in July, and the Brighton Challenge in October. There was a healthy uplift of 8% in the overall number of competitors for the year.

Congratulations to all the monthly winners with a special mention given to Jeff Taylor, who was our only multiple winner. Details of the competition winners are included in appendix 1.

The list of Champions for 2014 is shown in appendix 3 and these include our Club Champion for 2014, Bernie Coyle. Congratulations "Mr President" !

2015 sees the introduction of both Waterford Valley and Patterson River to the schedule. Along with some scheduling changes that are being introduced, this should result in an exciting programme that retains established favourites whilst adding quality golfing venues to the schedule.

2014 saw an influx of new members to the Club which is hugely encouraging given the membership challenges that face many golf clubs. My thanks to all those who made this possible, and I would urge all members (including our new members) to promote our brand of social golf to friends and other contacts. In the same period, for a variety of reasons, we lost the active participation of a number of members. We have room to grow and make our Club even better.

As previously mentioned, the financial sustainability of the Club remains a key focus. The monthly raffle contributes significantly to our ability to balance the books at year end. In 2015, we will introduce golf voucher prizes (donated by our host Clubs) to the raffle. Each of these prizes will be valued well in excess of $100 for the lucky winners whilst adding much needed revenue to the Club funds. Your support and any additional spend is much appreciated.

On behalf of the Members, I would like to thank Daryl Edwards and John Hiscock for their tremendous work with the monthly raffle.

The support I have received in 2014 has been exceptional given my absences through holidays and a recent operation. To all who have helped, my sincere thanks, but in particular, our Vice-Captain Mike Bainbridge, our President Bernie Coyle and of course our retiring Secretary, Stan Odachowski.

Donald A. MacDonald

Captain, January 2015

Appendix 1: List of 2014 monthly winners

* Countback

** Pairs Competition

ADDITIONAL EVENTS:

Appendix 2: Number of Players each month (2014)

ADDITIONAL EVENTS:

Appendix 3: 2014 Awards List.

Return

Treasurer

Report for the year ended 31st December 2014

This is an abridged version. The full version is only available to members

Gentlemen.

I am pleased to present the Financial Report for the year ended 31st December 2014.

We have again had a successful and enjoyable year.

The aim of your committee was to financially break even for the year but as this report shows we had a surplus of Receipts over Payments of $573 compared to a surplus last year of $266.

The monthly raffle made a good profit and the committee thanks all members for their support.

With more members our annual subscriptions were also up this year.

Green Fees showed a loss.

The financial status of the club is still comfortable, as we currently have a good bank balance.

We also have a good stock of clothing.

Our Secretarial expenses decreased compared with last year.

Although some golf course charges for 2015 have increased the committee believes that we can maintain the present fee structure to financially break even for 2015.

David Vine

Honorary Treasurer

Return